Step 1: First tiny taste
Offer a small taste of smooth spoonable cooked grits. Watch for concerning symptoms during and after the feed.
Grits
Overview
Grits are a typical complementary grain around 6 months when your baby shows readiness for solids. They are not wheat. Offer well-cooked, spoonable grits as a single new food.
Preparation
Cook plain grits in water until very soft, then mash or stir until smooth and easy to swallow from a spoon. Mix with breast milk, formula, or water if needed. Do not put grits in a bottle. Always supervise eating.
Three-step introduction
Step 2: Larger offer
If tolerated, offer more of the same preparation at a later feed.
Step 3: Include regularly
Serve this food regularly in age-safe textures.
FAQ
When are babies usually ready for solid foods?
Complementary foods are typically introduced around 6 months of age, when the baby shows developmental readiness (for example, sitting with support, good head control, and swallowing food rather than pushing it out). Introducing solids before 4 months is not recommended.
Do I need to introduce foods in a certain order?
For most children, there is no required order for first foods. Fruits, vegetables, meats and other proteins, and other food groups can all be part of complementary feeding around 6 months.
How should I prepare grits for a baby?
Cook plain grits in water until very soft, then mash or stir until smooth and easy to swallow from a spoon. Do not put grits in a bottle. Always supervise eating.
Are grits the same as wheat?
No. Plain corn grits are made from corn, not wheat. Wheat and other gluten-containing cereals are listed separately as priority allergens.
Sources
- WHO Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age (2023)
- CDC — When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods
- FAO/WHO — Risk assessment of food allergens: Part 1 (Codex priority allergen list)
- FDA — Food Allergies (major food allergens / Big 9)
- CDC — Infant and Toddler Nutrition FAQs